Can Afra Cichlid and New Guinea Rainbowfish Live Together?

Afra Cichlid is a semi-aggressive species (8/10), while New Guinea Rainbowfish is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means Afra Cichlid may occasionally assert dominance over New Guinea Rainbowfish.

Large aggression gap (6 points) between Afra Cichlid and New Guinea Rainbowfish increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Afra Cichlid and New Guinea Rainbowfish both frequent the Middle (Open Water) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Worth noting: New Guinea Rainbowfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: Provide a significantly larger tank (at least 50% more volume than the minimum) to allow both Afra Cichlid and New Guinea Rainbowfish to establish separate territories. Add plenty of line-of-sight breaks using driftwood, rocks, and dense planting to reduce territorial confrontations. A larger aquarium with ample hiding spots can help diffuse aggression and give the less dominant fish space to retreat.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7.6 and 8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Afra Cichlid and New Guinea Rainbowfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 315 litres with a minimum length of 120 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters — so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Established Algae (Otocinclus), Plants - lighly covered. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: Afra Cichlid is a plant destroyer, which conflicts with New Guinea Rainbowfish's requirement for live plants. Compromise where possible or prioritise the more critical need.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.